I found a couple of good bikes on facebook marketplace, which one is the best?
Specialized Dolce (really like this one because of brand, but is the price worth it?, might be a little bit too large so I'm only considering it)
(might be a little small) Fuji Crosstown 2.0 Hybrid Bike
ABOUT ME: (5'2"-5'3"):
Recovering from an injury so looking for a light bike (or easy to pedal bike) that's comfortable but also isn't too slow.
INTENDED USE: Biking to school and weekend trips
HOW FAR / OFTEN: Commuting 5 times a week (1 mi each way). Longer trips about 2x a month (14mi). Nothing over 50mi currently
RIDING CONDITIONS: Urban setting with paved roads that are hilly with traffic. (With the occasional pothole or rough riding). Some wind and rain conditions.
PRICE RANGE: Under 400 is preferable since I only need it for a year or two.
Thank you so much in advance! I'm getting back into biking and the community has been amazing so far! 😁
by Pandapani12
3 Comments
Road bikes and flat bar bikes (hybrids, mountain bikes etc) are sized differently. It’s not just that road bikes are more commonly measured in cm and flat bar bikes in inches, you will likely need a different actual value of each.
The specialised is a 48cm frame which is on the smaller end of road bike sizes. There’s a good chance you might be able to fit on it, the specialised size chart (only to be taken as a rough guide) says that’s for riders 5′ to 5’3″. Road bikes are maybe a bit trickier to get used to at first, and you may need some setup changes to really get comfortable. But they’re better for paved, longer distance riding.
All of the hybrid bikes you’ve shared seem to be around 19″, which is quite a large size. I don’t think you have any chance of fitting on any of those bikes to be honest, you would be looking more in the region of 14/15″.
The Specialized should fit you. The others are likely too large. You need either a small frame or an XS. The Raleigh looks to be from the 70s, the centurion from the 80s. I suspect you might have more fun riding the Spec
The only bike of these that is appropriate for you is the Dolce. The others you would not even be able to throw a leg over.
This Dolce is pretty old, around 12 years old and the base model with the least expensive components. It’s a decent bike and looks to be in near original condition with nothing visible wrong. The bar tape is a bit dirty and some small scuffs on the crank arm.
Learning to ride and shift this will take some practice. The price seems high, but it looks like you are near NYC, so that could be normal. I’d suggest at least looking at a bike shop so you have something to compare it to. The brand new entry level model will be double the price, but much newer, and ask what type of service is included. If they include a fit with the purchase that is very valuable. On a road the positioning of the saddle and handlebar are important down to the millimeter because your body is often in a static position for long periods of time.